Stick Electrode Diameter

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Im soon going to stock up on 7018 and had a quick question. How thick of material is 3/32 7018 good for? I know that there have recently been similar threads started on here but none of them quite answered my question.Sent from my SPH-L710 using TapatalkMiller Dialarc 250 AC/DCWeldcraft A-150VSmith O/P
Reply:I'll use it on 1/8" - 3/16".GravelThe difference between theory and practice is that in theory there is no difference.
Reply:It depends on the joint and size of material.....You'll figure out what size rods for what as you get more experience.Get some 3/32" and 1/8", and you'll be covered.Just a couple welders, big hammers, grinders, and torches.Work will free you.Men in dirty jeans built this country, while men in clean suits have destroyed it. Trump/Carson 2016-2024
Reply:Originally Posted by AKweldshopIt depends on the joint and size of material.....You'll figure out what size rods for what as you get more experience.Get some 3/32" and 1/8", and you'll be covered.
Reply:Originally Posted by MinnesotaDaveIf he does some heavier work, 5/32" will save him some time
Reply:Originally Posted by AKweldshopThat is true.Knowing when to use that comes from experience as well.....
Reply:Go big or go home, 1/4" at 300+ amps. 3/32" is good for about 3/16 in most positions but if you're doing vertical, would be a lot easier on heavier material than 1/8" if you don't have a lot of experience.
Reply:Iv'e welded 6" sch. 160 with 6010 1/8 root and Atom Arc 3/32 all the way out with stringers.  That is what the WPS called for.
Reply:I would start with 3/32'' and learn to use that. It will be less metal to control and easier to learn with. You can use multiple passes and some guys prefer that over a larger rod and one pass. You can do 1/2'' thick stuff and use stringers with 3/32. Larger rod means more amps, what is your machine rating ? Higher amps affects duty cycle too.  It's common to use 1/8'' 5P 6010 for the root and weld out with 7018 3/32 in my area for pipe welding normally up to 6'' on schedule 40.
Reply:Originally Posted by BD1I would start with 3/32'' and learn to use that. It will be less metal to control and easier to learn with. You can use multiple passes and some guys prefer that over a larger rod and one pass. You can do 1/2'' thick stuff and use stringers with 3/32. Larger rod means more amps, what is your machine rating ? Higher amps affects duty cycle too.  It's common to use 1/8'' 5P 6010 for the root and weld out with 7018 3/32 in my area for pipe welding normally up to 6'' on schedule 40.
Reply:Or 5/32". I wouldn't recommend 3/32" on 3/8" and thicker. It's a lot better using a small stick rod on heavier material than using a small MIG but you still need to put sufficient heat in the steel you're welding and a 3/32" just doesn't have enough to get proper penetration for full strength.Last edited by Welder Dave; 01-23-2015 at 09:30 PM.
Reply:I say it depends on your machine.I find that scratch starting a 14 inch 3/32'' rod can be a little difficult. The rod likes to stick, break free and wag back and forth of a few seconds. I find I have to hold the rod with my other hand to make a successful scratch start with a fresh 14 inch long rod and I really don't like putting my hand on a live energized electrode. An inverter with lift start, or HF start would be a huge improvement. Duty cycle shouldn't be a problem for any 240 volt, 220 to 230 amp or larger machine.A dialarc might over heat if you run 3/32'' rods non stop for 3 hours straight in 110'F heat.old Miller spectrum 625 Lincoln SP-135 T, CO2+0.025 wireMiller model 250 and WP-18V torchCraftsman 100amp AC/DC and WP-17V torchCentury 115-004 HF arc stabilizerHome made 4 transformer spot welderHome made alternator welder
Reply:Maybe you're confusing machines? A Dialarc could weld 3/32" all day non stop. I believe they are 50% duty cycle at 200 amps and 30% at 250 amps. At 100 amps they could easily exceed 100% duty cycle. Shouldn't have any problem striking an arc with 3/32" 7018 with a Dialarc.
Reply:Lift start wouldn't help any on stick, it would disable your hot start and make it harder to light the electrode. As for HF start you would probably be disabling the arc force and hot start that inverters have built in. A dialarc should have no problem lighting up any electrode you would normally use. You may have some difficulty running 6010 with a tight arc.
Reply:Originally Posted by Welder DaveMaybe you're confusing machines? A Dialarc could weld 3/32" all day non stop. I believe they are 50% duty cycle at 200 amps and 30% at 250 amps. At 100 amps they could easily exceed 100% duty cycle. Shouldn't have any problem striking an arc with 3/32" 7018 with a Dialarc.
Reply:Wow, they've de-rated them. Considering they're over $2000 it would appear the older ones were heavier duty.
Reply:You could weld 2" thick plate steel together with 3/32 7018 rod. It will take a while and you will have a lot of stops and restarts. 5/32 or 3/16 rod would rapidly speed up the job and greatly reduce the amount of stops and restarts required to complete the job. The larger the rod, the higher the rate of metal deposition.JasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720